10 Best Lineman Work Boots | 2023 Guide

Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by Azad Asf

There are serious problems for people looking for the best lineman work boots. I mean, most lineworker boots nowadays are:

• very bulky and uncomfortable to use
• not protective enough (considering the risks a lineman puts himself under)
• more expensive than they should be (some of them are $300+)
• manufactured with low-quality materials

Due to this, I took it upon myself to research and test dozens of work boots destined to be used by linemen. Those that better satisfied the necessities of a lineworker were added to the list shown in this article. I hope it helps you.

The Best Lineman Work Boots Available

It’s time to show you what are the best lineman boots according to my research. Remember that I’ll be taking close look at the features I told you are important to consider!

This is the list:

• 1. Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Lineman Work Boots
• 2. La Sportiva Makalu Lineman Work Boots
• 3. La Sportiva Karakorum Lineman Work Boots
• 4. Wesco Highliner Brown Lineman Work Boots
• 5. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Lineman Work Boots
• 6. Chippewa 9″ Steel-Toe Lineman Work Boots
• 7. Georgia Steel Toe Lineman Work Boots
• 8. White’s Boots 400VLTT Smoke Lineman Work Boots
• 9. Carhartt 8″ Waterproof CML8369 Leather Lineman Work Boots
• 10. Ad Tec 9 Inch Super Lineman Work Boots

1. Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Lineman Work Boots

One of the biggest issues for linemen regarding their footwear is working all day outdoors exposed to the elements with unprepared boots.

These Red Wing boots are made from amber harness leather which is water, stain, and perspiration resistant. This means that the boots are exceptionally durable and will be able to withstand whatever conditions you put them through.

The boots look and feel tough and durable, which is essential to every lineman who wants to subject their boots to difficult tests every day at work.

The outsoles are made from nitrile cork, a rubber composite material made by mixing pieces of cork with rubber. This makes an almost indestructible outsole that also is lightweight and low profile. On top of that, it provides great traction when climbing, as all linemen will appreciate.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 1148 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

2. La Sportiva Makalu Lineman Work Boots

These La Sportiva Makala Boots are a classic leather mountaineering boot made from breathable high-quality water-resistant leather (3mm Idro-Perwanger leather) for ultimate fit, performance, and comfort. These characteristics are essential for all linemen as they climb and hang on ropes and poles daily.

We’ll go through the process of reviewing them, but if I can tell you something right away is that these boots have lasted me for over 2 years. In fact, most of my lineman friends agree that they are one of the most durable options currently available.

As lineworkers works outside all day, their boots need to be comfortable.

Luckily, these La Sportiva Makala Boots come with 8mm “MtnFlex” footbeds and “SBR Aircushion” midsoles for ultimate foot comfort.

Also, the boots have 1.5mm Dacromet coated full steel shanks which support the arches when climbing power poles and steel transmission towers all day.

Last but not least, these La Sportiva hiking boots come with Mountaineering Performance Evolution (MPE) outsoles perfect for climbing poles as they aren’t only very solid but also provide perfect traction for climbing up ladders and poles.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 175 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

3. La Sportiva Karakorum Lineman Work Boots

For a lineman, climbing is an essential part of the job. In that context, finding a boot made for outdoor work that offers undisputable traction is really important.

For that, these La Sportiva Karakorum lineman boots come with Vibram Couloir outsoles with aggressive lug patterns and raised heels that can flex and provide superior traction when climbing poles and ladders.

The sole has an SBR Aircushion midsoles which makes the boots comfy, especially for rocky and hard surfaces.

The boots are made of water-proof “Idro-Perwanger” leather which is a durable and flexible material that can withstand any weather. This makes them perfect for lineworkers who are used to working exposed to the elements.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 66 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.3 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

4. Wesco Highliner Brown Lineman Work Boots

The Wesco Highliner Lineman boots are one of the most common boot options chosen by linemen as they have been specially designed for their needs.

The boots have arched steel shanks that provide stability and support when climbing poles and ladders.

Thanks to their Vibram outsoles with raised heels, any lineworker can walk on slippery surfaces and climb poles without the fear of slipping and getting seriously injured.

Moreover, they’re manufactured with flexible yet rugged full-grain leather that protects the feet from exterior conditions.

Last, they come with recessed metal heel breastplates which offer superior protection from climbing spurs.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 10 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

5. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Lineman Work Boots

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid boots are a comfortable pair of hiking boots with injected PU midsoles and ATC footbeds which make them a convenient option for linemen in need of solid shock absorption.

Additionally, the boots are waterproof thanks to their breathable GORE-TEX linings, making them not only ideal for hikers, but also for lineworkers that work all day exposed to the elements.

In terms of protection, they come with Vibram EVO outsoles with deep lugs that provide good traction which enables linemen to do their jobs efficiently as they don’t need to care about falling when climbing poles.

Last but not least, the heels are raised which is a vital feature of lineman boots as it allows the worker to climb ladders and poles without the fear of slipping and falling.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 896 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

6. Chippewa 9″ Steel-Toe Lineman Work Boots

Traction when climbing is essential for linemen. I mean, who wants to feel unsafe working 40 feet above the ground?

These Chippewa work boots come with Vibram Tacoma outsoles with deep lugs and raised heels that help lineworkers climb utility lines with the confidence their work boots will offer reliable traction in these situations.

Moreover, these American boots come with safety steel toes and electrical hazard resistance which are attributes linemen give a lot of value.

Lastly, the boots come with a waterproof membrane that keeps the feet fresh and dry. This feature is key for linemen as most of their work is placed outdoors.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 568 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

7. Georgia Steel Toe Lineman Work Boots

Having work boots with solid safety features is key for linemen whose jobs are known to be really dangerous.

These Georgia work boots offer superior protection to lineworkers as they come with:

• Raised heels which become vital for climbing poles and ladders helping them avoiding very serious injuries (like falling from 40 feet)
• Waterproof membranes that keep the feet dry at all times
• Safety steel toe caps that keep toes safe from getting crushed by heavy falling tools
• Abrasion-resistant outsoles with deep lugs that provide superior traction which is key for avoiding nasty injuries when walking on slippery surfaces or climbing power lines

Nobody wants to waste hundreds of dollars on work boots that don’t last as long as they should, right?

In that sense, these Georgia work boots are manufactured with a Goodyear Welt construction method that binds uppers, midsoles, and outsoles in a very solid and reliable manner.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 1192 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.5 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

8. White’s Boots 400VLTT Smoke Lineman Work Boots

I like to say that I promote safety with my work boots recommendations.

Luckily, these White’s lineman boots are no exception as they come with:

• Water-resistant full-grain leather
• Safety steel toes
• Raised heels that provide the guarantee you’re not gonna fall when climbing utility poles or ladders
• Vibram “Fire and Ice” outsoles with deep lugs that provide superior traction on sketchy surfaces

Durability-wise, these work boots surpass all expectations out there.

I mean, they’re not only manufactured with top-quality full-grain leather (as said before) but they’re also built on three rows of lock stitching which makes it really difficult for the boots’ components to detach from each other. So, no matter how hard you beat them up, the boots are gonna survive.

Additionally, these lineman boots are resolable, which means that even if they break apart, you’ll only have to spend a small amount of money to repair them.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 64 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.6 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

9. Carhartt 8″ Waterproof CML8369 Leather Lineman Work Boots

Spending hundreds of dollars on work boots doesn’t always mean your feet are gonna be protected from exterior threats. In fact, most work boots nowadays lack solid protective features.

Luckily, these Carhartt work boots solve this issue as they come with:

• Composite safety toes that offer superior toe impact and compression resistance
• Electrical hazard rating that gives linemen protection when exposed to up to 18,000 volts of electricity
• Breathable “Storm Defender” waterproofing membrane that keeps the feet dry when exposed to exterior liquids (i.e. rain)

To keep linemen from slipping and falling when climbing poles, these work boots are manufactured with raised heels and oil and slip-resistant outsoles with deep lugs.

Given that linemen work outdoors, they’ll give a lot of value to the 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation these Carhartt work boots come with as it guarantees lineworkers that their feet aren’t going to freeze when exposed to low winter temperatures.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 151 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

10. Ad Tec 9 Inch Super Lineman Work Boots

I hate climbing poles without knowing my work boots will provide me with the best traction available.

The good news is these Adtec lineman boots come with slip-resistant outsoles with aggressive lugs and raised heels which become essential for linemen that climb ladders and tall poles as part of their daily jobs.

Moreover, the boots have electrical hazard resistance which is always a nice safety addition for lineworkers that constantly work near electrical wires.

In terms of comfort, the boots have cushioned footbeds which are life-saving for bringing a basic level of comfort to linemen that are on their feet for the better part of their workdays.

Customer Reviews and Scores

There are more than 340 reviews on Amazon.com about these work boots at the time of writing and they have given them a 4.4 out of 5 rating on average. The reviews of this pair of work boots are positive overall.

Check price at Amazon.com

What are the Best Lineman Boots Overall?

Georgia Steel Toe Lineman Work Boots

I selected these Georgia boots as the best lineman work boots due to the following features:

• Abrasion-resistant outsoles with aggressive lug patterns provide solid traction on slippery surfaces
• Waterproof full-grain leather is both protective, flexible and has the added benefit of maintaining the feet dry when exposed to liquids
• Raised heels that become essential for providing traction for linemen that climb poles and ladders as a living

If you’d like to read a bit more about why I chose them, please consider reading their complete review by clicking the button down below.

Review

What are the Most Comfortable Lineman Work Boots?

La Sportiva Makalu Lineman Work Boots

These La Sportiva hiking boots are, by far, the most comfortable boots I’d recommend a lineworker to get.

Why?

Well, for instance, they come with:

• “SBR Aircushion” midsoles that take on the impact of walking all day on hard surfaces without directing it to the feet
• Dacromet-coated full steel shanks that deliver perfect arch support
• 8mm Mtnflex footbeds that cushion the base of the feet which is key for letting them rest and avoid unbearable feet and joint pain

By clicking the button down below you’ll be able to read the entire review and make your mind (or not) about getting what I consider one of the most comfortable boots for linemen.

Review

Comparison Table

Name	Outsoles	Materials	Shanks
1. Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Lineman Work Boots Review	Nitrile Cork Outsoles	Leather which is water, stain, and perspiration resistant	Steel Shanks
2. La Sportiva Makalu Lineman Work Boots Review	Rugged MPE outsoles with deep lugs for maximum traction when climbing	Water-resistant leather with Dry-Best lining	Dacromet-coated full steel shanks
3. La Sportiva Karakorum Lineman Work Boots Review	Vibram Couloir outsoles with aggressive lug pattern	2.8mm Idro-Perwanger Roughout leather with water-repellent capabilities	Steel Shanks
4. Wesco Highliner Brown Lineman Work Boots Review	Vibram outsoles with deep lugs	Full-grain leather	Arched steel shanks
5. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Lineman Work Boots Review	Vibram EVO outsoles with aggressive lugs	Nubuck leather	Steel Shanks
6. Chippewa 9" Steel-Toe Lineman Work Boots Review	Vibram Tacoma logger outsoles	Waterproof leather	Steel Shanks
7. Georgia Steel Toe Lineman Work Boots Review	Abrasion-resistant outsoles with aggressive lug pattern	Waterproof full-grain leather	Steel Shanks
8. White's Boots 400VLTT Smoke Lineman Work Boots Review	Vibram fire and ice white dot outsoles	Premium full-grain water-resistant leather	Steel Shanks
9. Carhartt 8" Waterproof CML8369 Leather Lineman Work Boots Review	Oil, chemical, and slip-resistant outsoles	Insulated, waterproof leather	Steel Shanks
10. Ad Tec 9 Inch Super Lineman Work Boots Review	Slip-resistant outsoles with aggressive lug patterns	Waterproof premium leather	Steel Shanks

Must-Have Features of The Best Lineman Boots

For those interested in looking for their next boots themselves, these are the features the best work boots for linemen must have.

Waterproofing & Insulation

Linemen work in the outdoors.

Thus, I’d say getting work boots with a solid waterproofing and insulation membrane is the best way to make sure their feet are gonna stay warm and dry when exposed to the elements (especially during winter times).

Remember, try to find boots that offer waterproofing features that will prevent you from getting ill after working under the rain for a couple of hours.

Slip & Oil Resistant Outsoles (With Aggressive Threads)

Linemen do quite a bit of climbing on wood poles daily.

For that, they need superior outsoles that aren’t only flexible but also provide solid traction. I mean, who wants to fall from 40 feet above the ground, right?

To be more specific, these outsoles must have:

• Aggressive lugs to not let the linemen slip when walking on slippery surfaces
• Materials that don’t slide on steel. This is essential because they climb on steel hooks very frequently
• High grade of flexibility so linemen can stay comfortable in hooks while climbing wood poles

EH Rating

Getting work boots with an electrical hazard rating is a solid recommendation for linemen.

Why?

Well, as you may know already, these workers constantly work in contact with electrical wiring. Thus, boots with electrical hazard resistance appear as a great option to keep linemen safe from getting electrocuted if they ever came in contact with live wires.

Safety Toes

Another feature I love to see in linemen boots are safety caps. These act as hard barriers that cover the toes preventing them from getting crushed by heavy falling tools.

They might add a bit of weight to the boots, but they’re definitely worth it.

Among the most common options, one can get:

• steel toe caps: metal caps, very protective yet a bit bulky
• composite toe caps: non-metallic safety caps, lighter and still protective
• alloy tow caps: metal caps lighter than steel toe caps

Raised Heels

The best lineman boots must have raised heels as they provide better traction for climbing utility poles and ladders.

Thus, by getting boots with raised heels one would be minimizing the risk of slipping when climbing, which is one of the biggest fears for lineworkers.

Steel Shanks

If you ever had to stand on a ladder while wearing just sneakers, then you know how uncomfortable it is. Sadly, that pain later radiates through the legs and back making it unbearable for workers.

Linemen that spend all day climbing utility poles are more than used to dealing with this issue.

To address this, the best lineman boots must be manufactured with extra strong steel shanks. These wider, reinforced shanks can make a big difference as they are engineered to be more supportive. Moreover, they are key for distributing the bodyweight evenly resulting in fewer pressure points.

As a result of steel shanks, the surface area that distributes your bodyweight becomes more spread out and better balanced. This is vital to alleviate the pressure placed on the lineman’s feet.

Cushioned Footbeds & Shock Absorbing Midsoles

Not everything is about protection. In fact, linemen give a lot of value to work boots that allow them to tackle their workdays comfortably.

Due to this, I recommend linemen to get work boots with cushioned footbeds and midsoles. That way, they’ll enjoy the peace of mind that regardless if they have to climb utility poles or be on their feet all day with little to no rest, that their feet are going to be properly supported.

As a result, they’ll avoid serious long-term injuries like plantar fasciitis and similar issues.

Quality Materials & Construction Methods

Durability in a pair of work boots is indispensable. There is no way your boots are gonna last for many years under the intense tasks a lineman does, especially if they aren’t manufactured with nice quality components.

In other words, you will need a pair of work boots made with extra-durable components (i.e. full-grain leather).

Additionally, looking for boots manufactured with solid construction methods like the Goodyear Welt construction method is the best way to make sure your expensive lineman boots are going to survive the level of use lineworkers commonly put their boots under.

How Did I Test The Best Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis?

The following are the specific tests I put the work boots to make sure they’re the best for a lineman’s needs.

Protection Test

First, I made a protection test with every boot I was evaluating. During this test, I made sure to:

• walk on slippery surfaces to test the boots’ outsoles
• let heavy tools fall from safe heights into my toes to test their safety toe caps (if they had any, of course)
• walk in puddles of water on purpose to see if the waterproofing membranes kept my feet dry and fresh

Comfort Test

During this test, I tried as much as I could to walk on rocky and hard surfaces to put the footbeds and midsoles to the test.

If the boot’s comfort attributes were enough to save me the frequent feet pain I suffer at the end of the day after a hard day of work, then I’d continue testing the boots with further evaluations.

Durability Test

Durability is key, I mean, who wants to waste hundreds of dollars on work boots that don’t survive more than a few months? Nobody.

That’s why I made sure to give every lineman boot I tested a good beating for a couple of weeks to see if they kept their original shape. I mean, we’re talking:

• climbing up and down utility poles and ladders all-day
• walking on asphalt and cement surfaces (which are very abrasive, especially when they’re hot after sitting hours under the blazing sun) without much care
• and not taking care of them at all

If the boots survived the beatings and kept a pretty good shape then they were considered to be reviewed as one of the best lineman boots.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most common questions asked about the best work boots for linemen and my attempt to answer them all.

What are lineman boots?

There’s one thing that differentiates linemen boots from the rest, and that is that they must make climbing power lines easier.

Due to this, lineman boots gather certain features which are key for providing lineworkers maximum security when working, such as:

• Raised heels as they key to lock the feet to the pole’s hooks which are essential to prevent serious falls from happening
• Slip-resistant outsoles that provide great traction
• Insulation material and waterproofing membranes that will keep the lineman’s feet dry and warm when exposed to extreme outdoor conditions

Why do you need lineman boots?

Well, this is an easy one.

A lineman is a tradesman that maintains telecommunications lines. To do this, they climb utility poles which can be up to 40 feet tall. Even though they use harnesses, they must get as many additional safety products as they can to prevent them from falling.

One of those “additional safety products” are lineman boots.

These work boots are necessary for linemen as they make sure that when climbing these utility poles, the boots will be securely locked into the pole’s hooks. As a result, linemen can do their jobs without the fear of fear slipping and falling from 40 feet right into the ground.

Do linemen wear steel toe boots?

Yes. Linemen wear steel toe work boots to protect their toes from getting crushed by heavy falling tools.

Due to the nature of their job, linemen must use heavy tools and machinery to maintain the power and telecommunications lines. We’re talking about tools such as:

• line cutters
• climbing cables
• heavy clamps
• drills
• hammers
• and many others

Knowing these tools to be very heavy, a lineman must get work boots with safety toe caps (i.e. safety steel toes) that will keep their toes isolated from getting squashed if any of these tools fell into the toe box area.

Are lineman boots good for concrete?

Most definitely.

As explained previously, the best lineman boots must have oil and slip-resistant outsoles with aggressive and deep lugs to provide maximum traction on slippery surfaces.

Luckily, if you use boots with outsoles of this kind, you’ll make sure you’ll enjoy perfect traction when walking on concrete (even if it’s wet).

Moreover, I also said the best work boots for linemen should have comfort features (i.e. cushioned footbeds and midsoles) and solid durability attributes which are all useful features for concrete surfaces.

If you’re interested in reading more about work boots for concrete we built this article to help workers find proper concrete boots.

Why do lineman work boots have raised heels?

Linemen climb utility poles to do maintenance work on power and telecommunications lines. Due to this, they need footwear with features that will maximize safety when doing these maintenance tasks.

Due to this, it’s recommended for them to get work boots with raised heels as their design will make it easier for the boots to grab the poles’ hooks. This, of course, is essential for giving lineworkers the peace of mind that their footwear will not slip from the hooks making them fall from dangerous heights.